Time to Meet Our New Team Members

Hello everyone.  Tomorrow our February challenge starts but first I wanted you all to meet the newest Design Team Members of The 12 Months of Christmas Link Up. 

Now, as many of you know we recently had a DT Call and we were very lucky that a few inspiring individuals heard our call and tried out for the team.  So it is with great pleasure that I get to introduce you to five wonderful ladies.  As everyone on this team, these newbies are very talented and all uniquely different.  Let's get to know them a bit, shall we?

 Joining the The Sleigh Belles we have...

Hi, I'm Sherry, I was born in Kentucky but have lived in Washington for 17 yrs. I am happily married, have three children and four beautiful grandchildren. I have enjoyed all types of arts and crafts ever since I can remember. Now I have found that I really enjoy creating cards. I am so very excited to be a part of the 12 Months of Christmas Link Up!

 Hi my name is Lisa , I am a craftaholic , I live in Cramlington , next to Newcastle upon Tyne .Best of both next to the city or close to the countryside and the sea xx

I was born in the Midlands , did art at school that was my favourite subject a long with home economics ( cookery). Always loved to play with craft stuff.

I live in the north east with my husband and my two daughters and two cats. I work part time for a cleaning company so that gives me time then for my family and my crafts. Love to make cards , jewellery making, scrap booking. I love to craft as you forget about all your worries and keeps my mind happy and very relaxing.

I have made lots of friends on social media , and have a chat with a few on a personal messages. I am on a couple of Design Teams , my dream job would be to take my craft into a job.

 Joining the The Merry Maidens we have...

  

Hello its Diane Louise here... I am delighted to join this wonderful design team.   I live in the North West of England with my lovely Hubby and 2 fabulous grown up children, along with our beautiful big bundle of gorgeousness, Mutley, our black Labrador dog, who brings so much fun to our household. 

I have been paper crafting since 1998 when a friend introduced me to the world of decoupage, I fell in love with card making and very quickly became addicted to my hobby... The best thing though was opening my Blog called Diane Louise's Favourite Cards & Gifts and finding Blogland and Challenge Blogs, which inspired me to try new techniques and styles of cards. I have made so many lovely crafty friends along the way.  I own so much crafty stuff now that we really do need to move into a bigger house :o)    I also belong to design teams over at 'Crafty Friends', 'Moving Along With The Times', 'Scribbles Designs' and Classic DT Challenge.

I always said that I wasn't creative. My mother and sister were always busy knitting, sewing, making cards and other stuff. But I hated it all! But then I met a clown and he made balloon animals, I Loved it so much that I learned it myself and after a short while I made my own creations and didn't need examples anymore, I was creative!!!

So a few years later a friend of mine told me that she had something I would ike also, it was a Silhouette Cameo. I said what?? What should I do with that? I went to visit her and we played with the Cameo, and I liked it a lot, I had one a few days later also. I made lot's of things on shirts, I made stickers of vinyl and I made cards. Then I met the mother of my daughter's friend. She had problems with her Cameo, I helped her and we became friends also. She was making cards as DT for blogs and I said, for what?? Why would you do that?? I don't think I need to explain what happened next do I?

So here I am, addicted to making (Christmas) cards, colouring digi's, having multiple DT jobs and I have my own blog. Because I am a DT for Sherri Baldy I made a lot of cards with Besties, so I'm looking forward to work with all new digi's. It will be a fun challenge!

My name is Helen, married and mum of 2 teens and I live in a small village in the southern part of the Netherlands. I work at an export department for about 25 hours a week. As long as I can remember I am crafting in all different ways. But the last years I find time to relax with paper crafting, colouring stamps (rubber as well as digi), making cards, etc.

One of my best friends has her own webshop with craft stuff and whenever she has craft fairs in my neighbourhood I am there as well to help her out. 

Christmas, next to summer, is my favourite time of the year, so love making Christmas cards and decorations. I am delighted to be part of the team, thanks Lisa and Pat for the opportunity.

Please join us in welcoming Sherry, Lisa D., Diane Louise, Petra and Helen G. to the team. You will get to see Sherry's and Lisa's first creations tomorrow and then Diane Louise, Petra and Helen G. in a couple week's time.  To visit any of our new teammies beforehand, just click on their names above.

Well, that is it for now folks.  I hope that you will join us again tomorrow evening to find out what the optional theme of Challenge #26 will be.

See you all again soon!

Challenge #23 Winner Announcement

It is finally time to announce the winners and our top three Stocking Stuffers from Challenge #23. Are you one of those lucky peeps?! Let's find out!

DEBI B.

Debi, you are the winner of EITHER the Holiday Hoopla Digital Scrapbooking Kit OR five different mini kits (of six papers each) from the Christmas and/or Winter section from Décosse's Dynamite Doodles, our guest sponsor for November (chosen by default as Debi was the only person who followed the optional theme).

Debi, please send an email to the_12_moc_linkup {at} outlook {dot} com (or click HERE to bring the address up in your email program), with the subject, "12MoC Challenge #23 WINNER" to make arrangements to receive your prize. Please note that it may take me several days to get back to you. Thank you for your patience. In the interim, please grab a copy of the winner badge below for your blog.

Next, it is time to get on with showcasing the top three. With so many wonderful entries to choose from, it is always such a difficult task for the design team. We did however settle on three awesome creations. So, without further ado, here are our Stocking Stuffers for Challenge #23:

MEGAN

 MARYVONNE

 HAZEL

Congrats to our top three Stocking Stuffers! Megan, Maryvonne and Hazel, please grab a copy of the badge below for your blog.

Everyone who links up two cards each month is eligible to receive a free digital paper. All those who linked up two cards during the month of October have previously been mailed their paper. If you thought that you had linked two, but did not receive a free paper, please contact us and let us know and we'll look into it for you.

The eleven individuals who linked up a minimum of two cards each during the month of NOVEMBER, qualifying them to receive the digital paper from that month, will receive the slate blue coloured paper which garnered 100% of the votes. I have included the watermark of it, below...

To all of you who linked up during November, thanks ever so much! We are so happy to have all of you with us and hope that you'll continue to link up your holiday cards as you prepare to start your stash for 2017!!!

Papers will be sent to the email address that qualifying participants used when they added their cards to the Link Up. I'm hoping to get them sent by the weekend.

As always, we are going to have a random draw from all the entries and give out a set of six digital papers to one lucky individual. The papers are all made so why not have an extra prize! Here is the watermark for the full set...

The winner of the Yuletide Textures Mini Kit is(chosen by random.org)...

OLGA

Olga, as you were originally entitled to receiving the freebie as you entered at least two cards, I will instead send you the full set when I do the mailout.

Well folks, that is it for today. While you are here, please be sure to check out the details for our current challenge going on now (if you haven't already), with the Optional Theme this month of "Out with the Old, In with the New". You can find out all the details along with the link up, by clicking HERE.

Please join us again on February 1st when our new challenge begins. Other special posts may be published throughout the month; so, be sure to sign up to have our posts delivered by email or follow us through Bloglovin' so you don't miss a thing!

Until next time,

Holiday Tradtions: CHRISTMAS CAROLS & SONGS

Can you imagine Christmas without the songs and carols? I always put on my favorites while I wrap presents, and during Christmas dinner, we turn the volume down for some background music.

While “Jingle Bells” is the most popular holiday favorite, the song was originally written for Thanksgiving Day by James Pierpont in 1857. It’s original title was “The One-Horse Open Sleigh.” 

(Free clipart found at https://clipartfest.com/)

This merry little song was written by Frank Gillespie and sung for the first time on radio in 1934 by Eddie Cantor. Gillespie wrote the words while reminiscing over childhood memories and his mother’s warning that “Santa was watching so be good.” Cantor knew a hit when he heard it and created recordings and sheet music before he introduced it. “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” was an instant hit within 24 hours! (Free clipart  http://www.drodd.com/html4/Christmas-clip-art.html)

Three familiar Christmas songs are from the scores of Broadway musicals that

became movies. "We Need A Little Christmas" was introduced in the hit MAME. A musical version of MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET, called Here’s Love gave the world "It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas".  In the 1930s,  Irving Berlin knew that Americans loved their holidays. He developed a Broadway musical about these holidays, writing a song for each one. His favorite was  “I’m Dreaming of a White Xmas”, feeling that those in Hollywood who spent Christmas around swimming pools and warm weather really missed snow and other holiday traditions in their hearts. It is the highest selling Christmas single of all time. The musical was also made into a movie and was called HOLIDAY INN. “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” was first sung by Judy Garland in the 1944 movie musical MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS. Set in the year 1904, the song’s lyrics reflected what many Americans were feeling at that time.  (http://www.clipartpanda.com/categories/movie-clipart)

 The Christmas carol "Good King Wenceslaus" dates back to 1853. It is a story of a man who traveled during a storm on St Stephen’s Day to give help to neighbors in need. The "king" in the song was a real person, a Duke whose charitable acts made him a favorite with his subjects. His kindness earned him sainthood after being murdered by his brother.

In 1944, Donald Gardner and his wife were helping second-graders in New York compose a Christmas song. One version of how “All I Want for Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth” came about is that the Gardners thought the children’s talking with missing teeth was too cute. Gardner, who received lifelong royalties for the song, died in 2004.

(http://www.clipartkid.com/clip-art-missing-cliparts/) 

The Christmas song, "I Saw Momma Kissing Santa Claus" was made famous by Jimmy Boyd when he was just 12 years old.

Okay, so which song is now running endlessly through your head after reading this post? LOL More importantly, which Christmas song is your favorite? Mine is The First Noel, but I can really groove to Eartha Kitt’s Santa Baby!! And now her song is stuck in my head!! Oh, well, I really do like Christmas songs...

Challenge #25 Midway: Optional Theme...Out with the Old, In With the New

Oopsies. Looks like I have two apologies to make. First, I'm so sorry that I still haven't posted the winners for the last challenge. I can't believe how busy these first two weeks of January have been. I hope they are NOT an indication of what is to come or I'm never going to survive it. If it works out, I'll hopefully be posting the winner announcement later this week.

Secondly, I'm sorry that I'm a bit late in getting this midway published. Again, it has just been one of those days. Apologies especially to my Merry Maidens whose patience I am surely testing. Anyway, I'm finally able to get on with it so here we go...

It is time to see what the Merry Maidens have been up to with their images from Ike's Art, our guest sponsor this month!

Check out the lovely images that the Merry Maidens got to work with this month for the mid point of the challenge.Clicking on any of the image watermarks will take you to the appropriate sections within the digital stamp area of the Ike's Art store.

I Luv My Teddy from the Fleaz Navidad Set  (My Latest Designs section)

Ponies (Animals section)

A Christmas Wish  (My Latest Designs section)

Polynesian Girl--Yet to be uploaded to the store

Now normally I showcase a specific set of papers that I designed for the month. Sadly, I'm still no closer to getting them done. Given the theme of the challenge, the team members opted to use previous papers as part of their 'old'. I need to get my act together and have them ready by the winner announcement for this challenge. At least I have an idea of what to create, now it is just finding the time to implement it.

Everyone who links up a minimum of two cards during the month of January will earn ONE digital paper.  The specific paper up for grabs will be shown during the winner announcement post. Additionally, one random winner will earn a full set of six papers.

 Now check out what the Merry Maidens came up with to inspire you. Clicking on the names will take you to the individual blogs where you can check out the details for all these wonderful cards.

New Item:

 Image used.

Old Item:  

The paper.

New Item:

 Image used.

Old Item:  

The paper.

New Item:

 Image and the embellishments used.

Old Item:  

The paper and the die used to cut the image.

New Item:

 Image used.

Old Item:  

The paper.

So if you haven't entered already, what are you waiting for? It is time to link up your Christmas and other holiday cards for January. Whether you choose to link up two Anything Goes themed cards simply to earn your free paper this month, or you choose to also follow the optional theme to have a chance at the sponsor's prize, it is completely up to you! 

Here is a refresher of the details for this challenge...

Please remember that this is a CARDS ONLY link up. While we've had some lovely tag entries in the past, we've sadly had to disqualify them.

Challenge #25

Optional Theme: 

Out with the Old, In With the New

Happy New Year! It was quite a year last year, wasn't it?! Lots of changes in the world and in our own lives. As we bid a fond farewell to one year and say hello to a new one, we thought that this challenge would be a good time to reflect that same kind of thinking in our projects.

In order to have a chance to win the prize from our wonderful guest sponsor this month, be sure to include on your card, something old and something new that you have just received in the last month. So dip into your stash AND grab one of your shiny new items or toys, or it could even be a new technique you're trying for the first time, and get busy creating. Please be sure to let us know what your new and old item(s) are.  If you do follow the optional theme, be sure to add FT after your name so that we include you in the draw for the prize.

Remember, you don't need to follow the theme to link up your cards and earn a free paper each month, and have your name thrown into the year end draw for some extra digital goodies. You only need to follow the theme if you want a chance to win this month's sponsored prize of a $15.00 gift certificate from Ike's Art.

If you are new to this unique challenge, you can find out the impetus behind why I started it under the 'Introductions' tab.  As this is a unique kind of link up where we have both an anything goes Christmas option and an optional theme to follow, be sure to read all the details and rules you need to know in order to participate, by checking out the 'Challenge Details' tab (both tabs located at the top of the blog).

You can find the Challenge Details Summary along with the link up for Challenge #25 by clicking HERE.

 Don't Forget, if everything goes according to plan...

• Hopefully this week I'll get a chance to post the winners from Challenge #23.
• Be sure to join us on January 23rd when Pat will be here to share a Christmas Tradition.
• Next up it will be time for our new challenge to start on February 1st.
• Then, the winners from Challenge #24 will hopefully be posted sometime between February 8th & 10th.
• Other special posts may be published throughout the month.  Be sure to sign up to have our posts delivered by email or follow us through Bloglovin' so you don't miss a thing!

We look forward to seeing you participate!

Challenge #25: Optional Theme...Out with the Old, In With the New

Hello and welcome!  Before we begin, from all of us here at The 12 Months of Christmas Link Up, we wish you all a very Happy New Year filled with good health and prosperity!  It is amazing that a brand new year is upon us. For those of you who have been with us during the last two years, we thank you for your continued support. If you are brand new, welcome! We're so glad you found us!

Now I must apologize to those of you who applied to be on our DT, with the craziness of the season, I just haven't had time to get the new team members contacted and set up. I will do my best to do so during this coming week. Apparently, my Christmas wish of getting five extra hours a day was just too big to fulfill. 😉

Right now, as it is the first day of a new month AND a new year to boot, it is time for our next challenge to get started! Here is what you need to know...

The Basics

While you can find out ALL the information you need to know in order to participate in the challenge by checking out the 'Challenge Details' tab at the top of the page (or by clicking HERE), here is a refresher of the basics.

• Anyone can link up as many Christmas and/or December holiday themed cards (including Happy New Year's cards) throughout the month with an ANYTHING GOES theme.
• Every person who has linked up a MINIMUM of two (2) cards will be eligible to receive a specially designed Christmas themed digital paper.
• Each month there will be an OPTIONAL theme to follow.  Anyone who submits a card adhering to the monthly theme, will have the chance to win a prize from that month's guest sponsor.
• Every holiday card you submit to the link up, earns you one chance to win a special digital Christmas kit that will be offered up after the year is complete.

Now that the basics are out of the way, how about we get on with the details of Challenge #25.

Challenge #25

Optional Theme: 

Out with the Old, In With the New

Happy New Year! It was quite a year last year, wasn't it?! Lots of changes in the world and in our own lives. As we bid a fond farewell to one year and say hello to a new one, we thought that this challenge would be a good time to reflect that same kind of thinking in our projects.

In order to have a chance to win the prize from our wonderful guest sponsor this month, be sure to include on your card, something old and something new that you have just received in the last month. So dip into your stash AND grab one of your shiny new items or toys, or it could even be a new technique you're trying for the first time, and get busy creating. Please be sure to let us know what your new and old item(s) are.  If you do follow the optional theme, be sure to add FT after your name so that we include you in the draw for the prize.

Remember, you don't need to follow the theme to link up your cards and earn a free paper each month, and have your name thrown into the year end draw for some extra digital goodies. You only need to follow the theme if you want a chance to win this month's sponsored prize of a $15.00 gift certificate from Ike's Art.

Talking about Ike's Art, it is time to refresh ourselves with the details of this great returning sponsor...

Hi there – I am Ike……a nickname that I got hooked with many years ago due to my surname, and in my profession at that time, …they just loved to give nicknames ☺.
I live in Greece and have a passion for kitties ☺
I am a complete nutter or should I say I’m ‘zany’ hahaha. I have a very strange/sick sense of humour and I must admit I spend a lot of time talking to myself!! Well, I get more sense out of me! I reckon in a few years I shall be known as the “crazy cat lady” ☺
I am an artist and have a strange mind when it comes to creating my art. I either go completely true to life… right down to the last hair… or I go totally surreal. I have a passion for all things horror/Gothic etc. I’ve always loved horror films and books and I guess that’s why it creeps into my stuff ! Had I been a bit younger I swear I would have been a Goth……luuuuuv it.
Next time around I am gonna be a witch or a cat ☺
I started my Blog 5 years ago and although I love crafting, my real passion is drawing, and now I just love making digital images.

IKEsART FaceBook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/IkesArtFanPage/

Cat Lovers’ Challenge : http://showusyourpussies.blogspot.gr/

My Challenge Blog:  http://ikesworldchallengeblog.blogspot.com

My Shop:  www.ikesart.com

My Blog:  http://suzy-ikesworld.blogspot.com

Check out all the fabulous images that the Sleigh Belles got to work with this month for the start of the challenge. You'll get to see the images that the Merry Maidens worked with at the midway. Clicking on any of the image watermarks will take you to the appropriate sections within the digital stamp area of the Ike's Art store.

It Wasn't Me from the Fleaz Navidad Set  (My Latest Designs section)

Poinsettia Cluster  (Other section)

 Robins (Animals section)

 Christmas Poinsettia (Other section)

Now normally I showcase a specific set of papers that I designed for the month. Unfortunately, I have been so super busy that I just didn't get a chance to get them started never mind finished! Given the theme of the challenge, the team members opted to use previous papers as part of their 'old'.

I am hoping that I'll be able to find some time to put together a set before the midway.

Everyone who links up a minimum of two cards during the month of January will earn ONE digital paper.  The specific paper up for grabs will be shown during the winner announcement post. Additionally, one random winner will earn a full set of six papers.

Now check out what the Sleigh Belles came up with to inspire you. Clicking on the names will take you to the individual blogs where you can check out the details for all these wonderful cards...

New Item:

 Image used.

Old Item:  

The paper.

New Item:

 Image used.

Old Item:  

The paper and sentiment which is from a retired set.

New Item:

 Sentiment stamp and image used.

Old Item:  

The paper.

New Item:

Gold metallic gems and also a new way of using Glamour Dust with a glue pen.

Old Item:  

The paper.

So what are you waiting for? It is time to link up your Christmas and other holiday cards for January! Whether you choose to link up two Anything Goes themed cards simply to earn your free paper this month, or you choose to also follow the optional theme to have a chance at the sponsor's prize, it is completely up to you!

If you are new to this unique challenge, you can find out the impetus behind why I started it under the 'Introductions' tab and all the details you need to know in order to participate, in the 'Challenge Details' tab (both tabs located at the top of the blog).

We have a packed month as usual; so, Pat and I and the rest of the gang hope to see you back with us soon!

• Join us in about a week (between Jan 8 &10), when we hope to publish the names of the winners and top picks from Challenge #23. 
• Then, be sure to join us again on January 15th, for our midway post where you'll get to see cards created by the Merry Maidens!
• Then during the third week of January, Pat should be here to share a Christmas tradition and.or recipe with us all.
• Other special posts may be published throughout the month.  Be sure to sign up to have our posts delivered by email or follow us through Bloglovin' so you don't miss a thing!

CHALLENGE DETAILS SUMMARY
Each month we'll include a summary of details for the particular challenge taking place. If you are new, please be sure to familiarize yourself with all the details and rules in the 'Challenge Details' tab at the top of the page.  Please note that dates and times listed below are for this particular challenge only:

• Cards for this challenge will be accepted from 6:00 p.m. (18:00 hrs), January 1st until 11:59 p.m. (23:59 hrs), January 31st, 2016.  
• If you wish to receive the free digi paper being offered up for this month, you need to link up a minimum of two (2) Christmas or holiday themed cards. 
• This is NOT a progressive challenge. You can jump in at any time.
• Only a maximum of three (3) entries will qualify for the draw for this month's prize of  a $15 gift certificate to the Ike's Art store. You must add 'FT' after you name so we know which cards to add to the random draw for the sponsor's prize.
• No backlinking.
• Make sure when entering your project that you mention The 12 Months of Christmas Link Up in your post with a link back to this blog.
• Please remember to link directly to your blog post where we can see your creation, and not just the generic link to your blog.

We look forward to seeing you participate!

Link Up Below:

If you have any problems linking up, please be sure to leave a comment.

The 12 Months of Christmas Link Up Challenge #25
Please link up your Anything Goes Christmas and/or December holiday themed CARDS with the optional theme of Out with the Old, In With the New, below. Be sure to add FT after your name if you followed the theme.  Please see above for all the rules and details.

---

1. Marie Bingaman

2. Crafting Vicky

3. Lisa Lynn FT

4. TracyM #6773 FT

5. AJ

6. Carol S

7. Rosins

8. de kaarten van ons mam

9. Majda

10. Valerija FT

11. Desire Fourie

12. cheiro urgia

13. Valerija FT

14. Hazel

15. Hazel

16. Teresa

17. laila - koneko

18. Crafting Vicky FT

19. CraftyGirl

20. CraftyGirl

21. Christine Harrop

22. Debbie M

23. Hazel

24. Winter fun

25. Marie Bingaman

26. Hazel

27. Hazel

28. Debbie M

29. Borqna

30. Gerda

31. Gerda

32. treebug (FT)

33. treebug (FT)

34. Edwina Brown FT

35. Edwina Brown FT

36. Gerda

37. treebug (FT)

38. Hazel

39. Marie Bingaman FT

40. Borqna

41. Rosina

42. Majda

43. Hazel

44. Marie Bingaman FT

This linky list is now closed.

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